Steak 48 – An October Contender
Like October baseball, October Steak Night turned out to be one strictly for the best. Steak48, the newest in Chicago’s steakhouse scene, turned out to be a top of the rotation player.
For the first time in quite a few months, we actually ended up with a quorum worthy number. The Brothers Ray, Glick, Hans, Mason and myself made up for many months of romantic double dates.
I arrived to shockingly find Kid Ray at the bar as the first arrival. It’s not like him to show up so early to drink but it was a welcome surprise. Rick, Glick, Bubbe, and Mason soon followed and drinks flowed as we caught up and made our way to an upstairs table.
It’s a sin that I’m not going to be able to remember our waiter’s name, but he was probably the best that I can remember. He was a former stand-up comedian / current writer (how cliché), knew his way around the menu, and was as lively and entertaining as they come. Turns out he’s from New York and runs around in a familiar crowd as the Ray brothers. Don’t hold that against him though. It’s not too far-fetched to think a bunch of Long Island loudmouths might know each other.
Appetizers consisted of burrata, shishito peppers, fried deviled eggs, Rhode Island calamari & shrimp. All were top notch and appropriately split for six people.
Steak orders were pretty standard. I went with the Bone in Ribeye as usual and it was fantastic. Surprisingly it was not as salty as I normally prefer. It was just a nice cut of meat with good flavor, and cooked to perfection. The rest of the crew seemed to enjoy theirs as well. The only mistake of the night was that Hans’ side of black truffle peppercorn topping actually turned into black truffle sautéed lobster. And what a mistake it was. I like the option of not going full surf and turf, and having just a nip of some really succulent, and rich lobster.
Sides were great. We had some fries, mac and cheese, a creamed corn brulee and something else that I’m blanking on. Everything again was top notch.
For dessert, we had a few ports and a buttercake that gives Mastro’s a run for its money.
A topic of conversation included Glick’s recommendation for more members which was quickly shot down. The only recommendation that I think is warranted is that Glick run it by the group before he issues any complaints to the waiter.
Mason inexplicably walked free again. All in all, it was a great evening and looking forward to making a return trip soon.
9.5 / 10. And that’s only b/c nothing gets a 10.
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5 Responses to “Steak 48 – An October Contender”
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Having taken a run at Steak48 a couple months back when it first opened I knew the group was in for a good evening. Having quorum for the first time in many months made it all the better. The bar area is a bit more subdued and tame compared to some of Chicago’s other recent entrants. They make a mean drink and have eager bartenders ready to please. It is small on the one side where we were congregating as the other side is packed with high top tables and women past 50 as well as a few guys that would have caught Scotty’s eye.
Our table was on the second floor. For a Thursday night, the entire room was packed. Typically the second floor is reserved for weekends and large parties at other restaurants but Steak 48 apparently needs it for a regular night. The open kitchen is a nice touch as you make your way upstairs as well. We were seated in the corner, I assume to try to contain our volume, but they did not realize we were traveling with a pair of Long Island gentlemen who were about to meet their brother of another mother who also liked to talk loud about how great Long Island lacrosse is or whatever they were on about, I tuned it out. Our waiter other than being a distant Ray cousin, was fantastic. Highly recommend whatever his name is. The couple tables of elderly patrons within ear shot wrapped up their meals in a hurry and we suddenly had the room largely to ourselves by 9pm. My bone in filet was incredible, cooked to perfection, and seasoned with just the right salt. I was thinking it would be good to try one of their side sauces, that was a debacle. Stick to the meat and let it do the talking. Apps and sides were both on point as the host mentioned previously. Very impressed with this operation that is a big fuck you to the Mastros chain as the previous owners have set out on their own with this endeavor. the butter cake can go toe to toe if not even possibly beat Mastros as well. The glass of pinot that was heard round the world will go down in Steak Night lore. I will say I do understand the complaint and agree it was a poor closing move by an otherwise excellent waiter – whatever his name is.
The topic of expansion was discussed in depth and I think it was uniformly rejected for the current time, to be revisited in a few months I am sure. I see know how Mason can explain his tremendous success in life, rampant luck.
High marks all around, 9.5/10
After months of poor attendance Steak Night came storming back with a vengeance, kind of like Jordan circa 1996. I had heard many positive things about the new steak place in town and was excited to try Steak 48 myself.
The bar area was packed, I guess not surprising for a so called new hot spot. My poison of choice for the evening was the Rye Smash which was excellent, a slightly different take then the famous Dick Ray whiskey Smash but an excellent drink. The dining room upstairs much like the bar was packed. We were seated next to a table of much older, quieter folks and I think it’s fair to say they liked it better when the table next to them was empty. Clearly they were not aware they were in the presence of Chicago greatness, the fine gentlemen of steak and cigars. Their loss they missed out on the opportunity to get a selfie with Crenshaw.
The aps included burratta, calamari and shishito peppers. However the highlight was the fried deviled eggs. First off they were unique (never had something like this previously), second deviled eggs are good when prepared traditionally and frying something just makes it even better. What a great app. I went with the bone in ribeye and it was fantastic, well-seasoned and prepared. Sides were all excellent especially the creamed corn brulee and the mac and cheese. Really high marks for the food all around.
I don’t remember the waiters name either but he was great and not just because he is from Long Island and knows about Lax, good deli’s, Di Raimo’s and egg sandwiches. He was attentive and had the right vibe for the group. As far as the incident at the end of the night that was more our fault then his. We never asked for something specific and asked for something good, he brought a glass of wine in the middle price range, yes it was expensive but it wasn’t the top end so there was no purposeful gouging going on. We need to ask for something specific if we don’t want to leave room for interpretation. Calling him out on it at the end of a wonderful dinner was like why Cutler throws Ints in the red zone, it was a poor read of the situation. I think everyone expressed their opinions and discussed this plenty post dinner so we are all good.
I don’t think now is the time to expand. We should not expand for the sake of expansion or you end up with NHL teams in Atlanta i.e. you realize quickly they are not the right fit and you need to fix the situation. If the time comes to expand any potential candidates should not come in blind, they should have met at least a couple of members previously outside of steak night.
We had great attendance for post dinner drinks as well although I can’t remember the name of the place. Steak 48 is a wonderful new addition to the Chicago steak scene. All in all the best steak night we have had in months.
October steak night was a treat – start of Fall, my last steak night before becoming a dad, everyone went out after all good things.
Rick was as festive as ever, going full David S Pumpkins with his jack-o-lantern sports coat and black shirt. Excited as anyone about the start of the Mitch Trubisky era, we’ll see how this one plays out.
Steak 48 as a new entrant on the scene came in way hotter than any of the last few we’ve done. Bubby and I split a steak and it was great. Sides were good, apps I don’t remember.
I won’t be labor the point – end of night is no time for a $28 glass of wine. That’s Johnny Walker Blue price zone – not needed when we are 3 bottles in. We got gouged like tourists – and I leave that to a concept that came from outside. If you treat the locals like tourists it gets hard to build a solid base. Given it was my second trip – I was disappointed.
After dinner was great to see everyone – Berkshire Room not withstanding the energy. At least Sienna Tavern has opportunities to get Rick Ray laid.
Overall – 8.5
As a reluctant truant from many of the warm weather steak nights, it was with great anticipation and pleasure that I rejoined the group at Steak 48. And a fall classic it was. In a rare Daily Double, I experienced two all-time steak night personal bests in one evening: Best Pre-Dinner Cocktail (Rye Smash) and Best Waiter (the guy who knows those guys that Brad and Rick know).
The main dining room of the establishment had a unique vibe, like what I imagine a party at a Beverly Hills mansion in the 80s would have been like. The upstairs room where we sat was a little more “ladies night at the yacht club”, but our boisterous conversation soon adjusted the room’s atmosphere appropriately. The enjoyment of the aforementioned smashes but me in a good place to enjoy the comedic tilt of the waiter’s presentation. The apps hit the spot (although they usually do on the Steak Night circuit these days). And the bone-in filet was right where it needed to be.
After listening to the many cases and opinions on expansion, I think that in its current suggested form it would not be best for the league. But I would be in favor of hearing more ideas.
9/10
Wow, what a recommitment to excellence! New places usually can’t deliver. Steak 48 did in spades. I arrived early and was happy to be back for my first steak night in a quarter. Man, hurts to write that. Settled into the bar for some Oban’s and the downstairs was pretty packed and decent vibe. Once the group assembled and after I dick-tapped Mason, we headed upstairs to our table. Pretty quiet upstairs but I can see how the outside area is a nice attraction in the summer.
Dave, our waiter, was a good old long island boy and one hellova server. We talked a bit about the Huntington crowd where we knew some of the same people and he dazzled with jokes and recommendations. Glick and I split the rib-eye cut that, while I forget the exact name, was not a standard cut. It was delicious. It was super rich so splitting was the proper call. I dare not forget the fried deviled eggs which were sublime. Worth noting I sampled some of the others bone in Filet and those were also cooked perfectly and full of flavor.
There was some controversy at the end of the night regarding a glass of wine and I side with Waiter Dave on this. Didn’t care for Glick’s form brining this up. So much so I emailed Dave (he provided his card for future dining needs) and thanked him again for hosting us to a great experience.
One of the better steak night meals in recent memory. The steak night company is great each and every time!